The Maid of Maiden Lane eBook

“I hear that Rem is greatly taken with Boston,
and thinks of opening an office there.”

“Very prudent of Rem. What chance has he
in New York with Hamilton and Burr, to carry off all
the big prey? Make your arrangements as soon as
possible to leave New York.”

“You are sure that you are right in choosing
Philadelphia?”

“Yes—­while Hyde is in New York.
Write to your brother to-day; and as soon as Cornelia
is a little stronger, I will go with you to Philadelphia.”

“And stay with us?”

“That is not to be expected. I have too
much to do here,”

CHAPTER X

LIFE TIED IN A KNOT

One morning soon after the New Year, Hyde was returning
to the Manor House from New York. It was a day
to oppress thought, and tighten the heart, and kill
all hope and energy. There was a monotonous rain
and a sky like that of a past age—­solemn
and leaden—­and the mud of the roads was
unspeakable. He was compelled to ride slowly and
to feel in its full force, as it were, the hostility
of Nature. As he reached his home the rain ceased,
and a thick mist, with noiseless entrance, pervaded
all the environment; but no life, or sound of life,
broke the melancholy sense of his utter desolation.

He took the road by the lake because it was the nearest
road to the stables, where he wished to alight; but
the sight of the livid water, and of the herons standing
motionless under the huge cedars by its frozen edges,
brought to speech and expression that stifled grief,
which Nature this morning had intensified, not relieved.

“Those unearthly birds!” he said petulantly,
“they look as if they had escaped the deluge
by some mistake. Oh if I could forget! If
I could only forget! And now she has gone!
She has gone! I shall never see her again!
“Grief feels it a kind of luxury to repeat some
supreme cry of misery, and this lamentation for his
lost love had this poignant satisfaction. He
felt New York to be empty and void and dreary, and
the Manor House with its physical cheer and comfort,
and its store of affection, could not lift the stone
from his heart.

In spite of the chilling mist the Earl had gone to
see a neighbour about some land and local affairs,
and his mother—­oblivious of the coronet
of a countess—­was helping her housekeeper
to make out the list of all household property at
the beginning of the year 1792. She seemed a
little annoyed at his intrusion, and recommended to
him a change of apparel. Then he smiled at his
forlorn, draggled condition, and went to his room.